History of the Ann Arbor Railroad The Ann Arbor Railroad was as much a steamship line as a railroad. Built from Toledo, Ohio, northwest to Frankfort, Mich., it existed for one reason — to move freight in car ferries across Lake Michigan to bypass Chicago. From 1910 to 1968, “the Annie” operated 320 car ferry […]
Type of Train: Short line regionals
Locomotives of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway
Locomotives are the focus of this week’s Classic Trains salute to the New York, Ontario & Western Railway. The NYO&W is Classic Trains’ Railroad of the Month for November 2020. You might also enjoy an article outlining the Old and Weary’s history, a passenger train photo gallery, or an all-freight train photo gallery. We hope […]
Digest: South Shore president expects little impact from Chicago quarantine rule
Thursday morning rail transit news: NICTD president foresees little impact on South Shore commuter operations from Chicago quarantine rule Indiana has been added to the city of Chicago’s pandemic quarantine list, but South Shore Line commuter trains aren’t likely to be effected. WSBT-TV reports Mike Noland, president of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates South […]
A winning formula: Short lines go beyond just being ‘the railroad’
The four railroads that earned short line association business development awards this year have one thing in common: They all gained new traffic by going beyond merely moving freight from Point A to Point B. Officials from the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, Delmarva Central Railroad, The Indiana Rail Road, and the Ann Arbor […]
Digest: Watco to develop storage-in-transit yard, launch new switching operation new Joliet, Ill.
Monday afternoon rail news: Watco to develop storage facility, launch new switching operation Shortline and transportation services company Watco plans to create a storage-in-transit yard near Joliet, Ill., and provide switching services for the facility and adjacent customers under a newly formed subsidiary, Elwood, Joliet & Southern. The facility will make use of a former repair […]
Canadian pension fund, rail holding company to acquire five U.S. short lines
WASHINGTON – A Canadian pension fund is teaming with shortline holding company Jaguar Transportation to acquire five shortline railroads totalling more than 450 miles, according to a regulatory filing. The railroads involved in the transaction, which is expected to take effect on Nov. 1, include: ● The 245-mile Cimarron Valley Railroad, which operates in Kansas, […]
Group asks STB for OK to build new rail line in Kentucky, Tennessee
WASHINGTON — A group representing development agencies in Kentucky and Tennessee has filed a request with the Surface Transportation Board that would allow it to build a new 12-mile rail line connecting two existing short lines to better serve a Kentucky river port. Ken Tenn Regional Rail Partners, a non-profit corporation created by the Fulton […]
Digest: Guelph Junction set for change of operators
Friday afternoon rail news: Ontario Southland concludes Guelph Junction operations; Goderich-Exeter to take over Ontario Southland’s 22 years as operator of Canada’s Guelph Junction Railway will conclude today, ending an era that included frequent use of Alco and MLW power. Beginning Monday, the Goderich-Exeter Railway, a Genesee & Wyoming operation based in Stratford, Ont., will […]
Remembering Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo locomotives
Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. In July 2020, we celebrate the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo. Please enjoy a collection of locomotive images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include the TH&B’s iconic locomotives and classic scenic photos. […]
Remembering Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo passenger trains
Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo passenger service consisted mainly of trains linking its three namesake cities, operated in conjunction with the Canadian Pacific and New York Central. […]